R Te Aroha 8 December 2024 – R6 – Matt Cartwright

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Class A Rider M Cartwright admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of LERADO, he permitted his mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear of BOXMOSS, which was forced outwards, crowding and checking MA BAKER near the 200m.

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Stipendiary Steward Jones identified that just prior to the 200m, LERADO commences to improve between OVERRATED and BOXMOSS. As Mr Cartwright is riding his mount forward, he strikes his runner with the whip and it shifts into the line of BOXMOSS, who in turn was forced out and made contact with MA BAKER as a result. He said that during the incident, Mr Cartwright was only ¾ length clear of BOXMOSS.

In response, Mr Cartwright said his horse was presenting itself into a winning position, but was laying out. He said that when he struck his mount with the whip, it over reacted and as a result, got into the line of BOXMOSS.  He said he looked to relieve pressure immediately, but it was too late. He said that LERADO had been a difficult ride.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley produced Mr Cartwright’s riding record, which indicated 1 previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule since commencing riding in NZ, from 202 rides.

He said that the previous breach had occurred in a Group 1 Race and Mr Cartwright was suspended for 8 days.

Stipendiary Steward A Dooley said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low range and credit should be given for his good record and admission of the breach.

Mr Cartwright advised of riding engagements through until the 14th of December and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent asked if the Adjudicative Committee could consider his good record.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Cartwright’s carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5-day (suspension) as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide (as of 1 March 2022).

The available films clearly established that the Respondent allowed his mount to shift outward, crowding a runner to his outside, which resulted in another runner being checked. The Adjudicative Committee noted that the shift from LERADO was gradual and Mr Cartwright looked to straighten his horse immediately after realising he had got into the line of BOXMOSS, but at that stage, interference had already occurred.

Mr Cartwright has a good record and for this factor, combined with his admission of the breach, a 1 day reduction from the starting point is applied.

After consideration of the above factors,a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and his Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on the 14th of December and concluding after racing on the 20th of December.